cattle call

American  

noun

Slang.

1. a theatrical audition that is open to everyone, especially to those who do not belong to a theatrical union.

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Etymology

Origin of cattle call

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

DeSantis spoke last at the cattle call and received a rock star’s reception.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2022

I auditioned, it was a cattle call for a bunch of young kids.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 19, 2021

The Murillos weren't satisfied with the experience they had at the first clinic, which Andrea compared to a cattle call.

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2020

And the ensemble’s performance on television — in which each dancer in a cattle call audition routine somehow stood out as a quivering individual — palpably made clear what all the excitement was about.

From New York Times • Jun. 4, 2020

So it was that even before the cattle call, The Souls began the intensive training of Ginger.

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg